Computers and information systems are pervasive in
virtually all military systems and operations and are
essential to maintaining the present leading position of US
military capabilities. Table E.III-2 summarizes international
research capabilities for each major subarea.

Table
E.III-2. Computer & Information Systems

COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS

UNITED KINGDOM

FRANCE

GERMANY

OTHER COUNTRIES

JAPAN

PACIFIC RIM

FSU

Theoretical
Computer Science

Sweden Netherlands

India

Russia

Formal
Methods for Software Engineering

Sweden Netherlands Finland

Russia

Software
Prototyping, Development and Evolution

Sweden Netherlands

Knowledgebase
Data base Sciences

Netherlands

Russia

Natural
Language Processing

Netherlands

Russia

Theoretical computer science is directed at extending the
state-of-the-art of high-performance computers, an enabling
technology for modern tactical and strategic warfare. Formal
methods of software engineering and knowledgebase database
science are the software parallels to improving the computer
hardware addressed in computer studies. US software
development has been a driving force in enhancing the overall
tactical and strategic capabilities of the US armed forces.
Natural language processing has taken on an increased
importance with the use of multi-national/multi-language
forces in the field. The need for rapid communication between
such forces is essential to the efficient and safe military
cooperation between various national forces.

The United States has been the world leader in
computer science and most areas of software development.
However, a number of countries have world class capabilities
in various aspects of the overall science. The UK and Netherlands
are leaders in most areas, with extensive capabilities in
knowledgebase database science and natural language
processing. Germany is a leader in most areas, with
extensive capabilities in natural language processing. France
is also quite advanced and has active programs in language
processing. Japan has world class capabilities in
software prototyping, as well as being very active in most
other areas. Russia, while seriously limited in
overall funding, has demonstrated increasing capabilities in
most areas. A number of other countries have niche
capabilities; e.g. India, Sweden, and Finland.